Tunceli

Tunceli is a city and the capital of Tunceli Province in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. It lies in a high, mountainous area along the Munzur River, within the Munzur Valley, a region protected for its natural landscapes and biodiversity. The province is among the least populous in Turkey and is characterized by rugged terrain and scattered settlements.

Historically, the area has been known as Dersim and is home to Kurdish-speaking communities with a strong Alevi cultural heritage. The Turkish Republic established the province in the 1930s and renamed Dersim as Tunceli as part of a nationwide policy of assimilation. The Dersim Rebellion of 1937–38 led to a harsh crackdown and population displacement. In the later 20th century, development progressed gradually, and the region has since become a focal point for nature-based and cultural tourism.

The province comprises eight districts: Tunceli (central), Çemişgezek, Hozat, Mazgirt, Nazımiye, Ovacık, Pertek, and Pülümür. Geography is dominated by mountains, deep valleys, and coniferous and broadleaf forests. Munzur Valley National Park protects the Munzur watershed and surrounding ecosystems and is a major draw for hikers and nature lovers.

Demographically, the area is predominantly Kurdish and Alevi, with Kurdish (primarily Kurmanji) and Turkish spoken. The economy relies on agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, and growing tourism, particularly eco-tourism and cultural tourism. The city hosts higher education institutions, including a public university, contributing to regional development. Transportation is mainly by road, with routes connecting to Elazığ and Erzincan.